Christ-Centered Leadership: The Incarnational Difference

Description: If a leader is a Christian, what difference does it make? Giant strides have been made in secular leadership theory toward a Christian viewpoint. Priority is now given to character as well as competence, accountability as well as power, transformation as well as transaction, and servanthood as well as success. But these qualities apply to secular as well as to Christian leadership. So, the question remains, What difference does it make? David McKenna finds the answer in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ--a divine act for him and a defining attitude for us. Philippians 2:11-15 sets the standard and gives the details. Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ means following his call to the cross, where we die to self and sacrifice all self-interest in position, power, and prestige in order to serve obediently, faithfully, and humbly for the good of others and the glory of God. Christ-centered leadership is not an extension of the highest and best of human leadership. Radical obedience to the call of Christ and utter dependence upon the Holy Spirit make a substantive difference. In the most practical terms, Incarnation continues in us when we live fully, lead freely, and go where he wants us to go. Endorsements: At last! Someone writing about Christian leadership who takes seriously the incarnation of Jesus and the actual life, ministry, and writings of Paul. . . . With the insight of decades of leadership experience and an understanding of contemporary issues, McKenna brings the focus on Christian leadership to a fine point. The essential nature of Christian leadership requires a concerted and sustained discipline to be like Jesus. Nothing else can be authentically called Christian leadership. --Jesse C. Middendorf, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene What can be more critical to the church than Christ-centered leadership? What is more contrary to the world than Christ-centered leadership? Eminent and widely read author David McKenna has been instrumental in the spiritual formation and development of many of us. His latest contribution, Christ-Centered Leadership, what he terms his best book, will be similarly helpful as we follow Christ, and by his grace lead as he would lead: sacrificially. --Commissioners William and Nancy Roberts, USA National Leaders, The Salvation Army I wish I had this book when I began my career as a CEO. David McKenna gives invaluable insights to a new generation of Christian leaders, yet his wisdom runs so deep I find much to learn in Christ-Centered Leadership. --Richard Stearns, President, World Vision USA There are a myriad of books on leadership but none like Christ-Centered Leadership by longtime leader David McKenna. It is the premier book on leadership. . . . What is written is not mere theory but very practical examples of leadership lived out in the context of large, complex institutions as well as smaller organizations. . . . A must for every leader, regardless of age or level of leadership. --Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent, The Wesleyan Church Expertly weaving Scripture, leadership research, and personal experience, David McKenna condenses five decades of senior leadership wisdom. I wish I could have read this book when I was thirty! --Alec Hill, President, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Die to self and instead do sacrifice in a way that completely empties you and epitomizes the cross. Christ-Centered Leadership is a humbly uncompromising manual of uncomfortable truths, a must-read for anyone truly wanting to model Christ and his cross in the corner office. --Harold B. Smith, President and CEO, Christianity Today After decades of practicing Christ-centered leadership himself, David McKenna has put his wisdom into words that will inspire and instruct a new generation of leaders in both the church and society. . . . Because so much of what he writes comes from his actual experience, the book combines the ring of truth with th